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By JOHN GOOLRICK
Rappahannock New* Special Writer
Two Virginians who could be in the running for President some day both sent strong messages about fiscal responsibility recently.
In Richmond, Gov. L. Douglas Wilder dispatched Paul Timmereck, his Secretary of Finance, to tell the House of Delegates Appropriations Committee that the state’s financial house is in order despite an economic slowdown.
U.S. Sen. Charles S. Robb, a former governor, suggested to a group of journalists in Washington that the time has come for political leaders from President Bush on down to stop engaging in “charades” and “gimmicks” and make hard choices about the spiraling federal budget deficit.
Wilder and Robb have frequently suggested that a strong dose of Virginia’s traditional fiscal prudence would be a good tonic for the nation as a whole.
Evidence of the state’s continuing commitment to living within its means came after Del. Robert Ball, D-Henrico, the Appropriations Committee chairman, complained to Timmereck about what he considered “mumbo jumbo” economic language in the past that didn’t make it sufficiently clear how much revenues could be expected in the future.
Prodded by the remark, Timmereck assured committee members that tax collections were coming along nicely and by the end of the fiscal year, June 30, there would be enough money on hand to pay all bills. Ergo, a balanced budget and no deficit.
And even if there weren’t enough money coming in to cover all debts there would still be no deficit because of a $40 million rainy day re
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